Embracing alternative education like T-levels is essential to building a diverse workforce - Catherine Rutter

This reflects the growing awareness of different learning styles, and the acceptance that on-the-job learning can be combined with classroom studies to provide an accelerated route into work compared with more traditional academic courses.

Not only that, but there are more options than ever before for students looking to develop and advance their digital skills. Our society and economy is becoming ever more digitised – so it’s vital our education system reflects this with practical, vocational training that provides the skills our modern economy needs.

With only around four in ten people in Yorkshire and the Humber educated to level 3+, it’s clear that we are some way behind top performing areas when it comes to skills training. That doesn’t just mean that businesses in the region will struggle to access the skills they need, but it’s also thousands of young people who will miss out on fulfilling their potential.

T-levels are the most recent entrant to the list of post-GCSE training options. Launched in September 2020, they are broadly equivalent to three A-levels and cover topics like IT and Digital, as well as areas such as finance or legal services. The courses include industry placement for a minimum of 45 days, giving students valuable hands-on experience.

At Lloyds Banking Group, we believe that equipping and empowering tomorrow’s workforce is fundamental to helping Britain prosper, and we’re committed to helping the next generation reach their full potential.

Like other parts of the economy, there’s an increasing demand for digital skills in banking. As the UK’s largest digital bank, with more than 18 million online customers, we need to find, train and develop our workforce to help continually modernise our services to meet the changing needs of our customers. That’s why we started offering T-level industry placements last year – and this year we’ve welcomed a record intake of 70 students across the country, including 17 from Calderdale College.

All are working towards their T-level qualifications in either digital production, design and development; digital support services; or digital business services. They’re based at our offices in Leeds and Halifax, where they’re working alongside mentors on live projects right across our business, including web design and software engineering.

This mix of practical, on-the-job learning, as well as developing soft skills for the workplace, should be baked into programmes. For example, 30 students joined us for an industry placement day at our office in Halifax during National Apprenticeship week. On the day they took part in workshops and engagement sessions with professionals.

Embracing alternative education like T-levels is essential to ensure we build an ever more diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve and the skills we need.

Catherine Rutter is Lloyds Banking Group’s Ambassador for Yorkshire & the Humber.